Carney injury opens Origin door

Todd Carney's sprained foot could open the door for in-form Newcastle pivot Jarrod Mullen to push his case for a New South Wales return with selection in the Country Origin side.

Cronulla playmaker Carney is expected to miss the next two NRL rounds, meaning he would not play again before the representative weekend, after being diagnosed with a badly sprained foot suffered in Saturday night's 25-12 loss to St George Illawarra.

"He had scans yesterday. He's got a mid-foot sprain and some bone bruising," a Sharks spokesperson said on Monday.

"We're confident it will only be a couple of weeks."

Carney is set to miss Cronulla's matches against Parramatta and Manly, with Chad Townsend - who filled in admirably for both Carney and halves partner Jeff Robson in 2012 - likely to come into the Sharks side.

New South Wales Country Origin selectors name their side to play City on April 21.

Even if he was to be named, there would obviously be some doubts over Carney's ability to train all week, which could prompt coach Trent Barrett to go for Mullen in the number six.

Mullen has started the season in great form for the red-hot Knights, while Sydney Roosters five-eighth James Maloney is also sure to come into contention.

Mullen has played for Country Origin the last two years, but has not represented New South Wales since his one and only appearance in the sky blue as a 20-year-old in 2007.